In this Position Battle post, we will
focus on the top five shooting guards at this point in the season. Unlike our
previous posts, though, this time we will take into account just the players’
stats for the latest five games of their respective teams. This will,
hopefully, give us a more current picture of each player’s production.
Now, what makes this list a wee bit
interesting is that aside from the usual suspects like James Harden and Dwyane
Wade, there are a few surprises. By and large, the SG position is one of the
most “wide open” this season, especially because Kobe isn’t around dominating
the opposition. All of a sudden, guys like Lance Stephenson, JJ Redick, and
Iman Shumpert have a greater shot at the top.
Note:
All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on January 12, 2014 (Manila
time).
5.
Monta Ellis (DAL) – 19.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 5.6apg, 2.2spg, 48.7 FG%, 18.4 EFF
Three wins in the last five games for
Dallas, and Ellis was a big part in each one. He has been doing a splendid job
playing off of Dirk Nowitzki, Jose Calderon, and Shawn Marion, and is a huge
reason Dallas might just make a return to the Playoffs in 2014 after missing
the bus in 2013.
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| Adding Monta Ellis has been a boon for the Mavericks! (image by Tony Gutierrez/AP) |
4.
Dwyane Wade (MIA) – 19.8ppg, 6.8rpg, 4.3apg, 1.0spg, 56.9 FG%, 21.5 EFF
After not exactly being the Flash last
season (and still winning the NBA title by the way), D-Wade seems to have
regained his bearings for the Heat this year. He seems to be a step quicker
than last season, and a tad more aggressive, too. If he can become consistent
and shake off lingering injury issues, then, man, he’ll make Miami all the more
difficult to beat.
3.
Randy Foye (DEN) – 18.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.2apg, 55.4 FG%, 4.0 triples per game,
54.1 3pt%, 90.9 FT%, 21.6 EFF
There have been two big reasons the
Nuggets have won their last five games, and those are Ty Lawson and Randy Foye.
Foye has hit 16 treys in his last three matches, including making 7 against
Boston and then 6 against OKC afterwards. If he can shoot this well for most of
the remainder of the season, then look out for Denver!
2.
DeMar DeRozan (TOR) – 23.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.4apg, 1.4spg, 84.8 FT%, 23.4 EFF
When was the last time you saw the
Toronto Raptors lead the Atlantic Division AND be one of the top four teams out
East? That long, huh? DeRozan has been the Raptors’ de facto leader, and, so
far, he’s been doing a good job. If he had a more marketable persona, he’d be
an All-Star this year.
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| DeMar DeRozan shoots over Brooklyn's Mirza Teletovic. (image by Ron Turenne/Getty Images) |
1.
James Harden (HOU) – 32.6ppg, 7.2rpg, 4.6apg, 1.6spg, 51.0 FG%, 3.4 triples per
game, 47.2 3pt%, 85.7 FT%, 30.8 EFF
Trust me when I say Harden is the best
shooting guard in the universe right now. Yes, even if Kobe were playing, too. He
had a great 2012-2013 season, but his current production shows he’s on-track to
having an even better one this time around. He’s a sure-fire All-Star, and
maybe he can lead the Rockets past the first round of the postseason.
Outside
looking in:
Eric Gordon (NOP) – 18.4 EFF
Kevin Martin (MIN) – 17.8 EFF
Gerald Henderson (CHA) – 17.6 EFF
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